Neural Prosthetic Touch Sensing via Impedance Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current prosthetic devices, such as BION microstimulators, lack the ability to provide sensory feedback similar to human touch, which is essential for restoring tactile sensation in individuals with impaired or damaged nervous systems.
Innovation Solution
The development of a neural prosthetic apparatus and method that includes a power circuit, communication circuit, and sensor circuit, which detects changes in environmental criteria like impedance, conductivity, and reflectivity to interpret sensory information as touch or feel, and communicates this information to the brain using wireless communication signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional prosthetic devices are used, then the device structure is simple, but sensory feedback capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The prosthetic device is divided into functionally independent modules: a sensor module for detecting tactile stimuli, a communication module for transmitting signals, and a stimulation module for delivering sensory feedback. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently while achieving the complex sensory feedback function through coordinated operation of simpler components.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor module serves multiple functions: detecting pressure, vibration, and other tactile stimuli simultaneously. The communication module handles both data transmission and power communication. This multi-functionality reduces the overall number of components needed while maintaining comprehensive sensory feedback capability.
2Reliability
If sensory feedback is added to prosthetic devices, then tactile sensation is restored, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor module and communication module are merged into an integrated unit that can be implanted together. The sensor circuitry is combined with the communication circuitry, allowing tactile sensation restoration while minimizing the increase in device complexity through shared components and unified packaging.
Solution Approach 2:
A communication module acts as an intermediary between the sensor module and the external control system. This intermediary handles signal processing and transmission, reducing the complexity burden on the sensor module itself and enabling modular design that simplifies integration.
3Ease of operation
If wireless communication is used for neural signals, then patient comfort is improved, but signal transmission reliability may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The communication module incorporates feedback mechanisms to monitor signal transmission quality and adjust transmission parameters in real-time. This ensures reliable neural signal transmission while maintaining the comfort benefits of wireless operation, as the system automatically compensates for potential transmission issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless communication system uses periodic signal transmission with adaptive timing. By transmitting neural signals in controlled periodic intervals rather than continuously, the system maintains reliable communication while reducing power consumption and improving patient comfort through reduced thermal effects.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the interpretation of sensory information as tactile sensations, allowing individuals to perceive touch and feel, even in areas with impaired nerve function, thereby improving the quality of life for those with sensory impairments.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor uses various techniques to detect changes in the environment for the surrounding tissue using criteria such as reflectivity, impedance, conductivity
Implementation Method 2
The sensor uses various techniques to detect changes in the environment for the surrounding tissue using criteria such as reflectivity, impedance, conductivity
Implementation Method 3
The sensor uses various techniques to detect changes in the environment for the surrounding tissue using criteria such as reflectivity, impedance, conductivity
Implementation Method 4
communicates with the brain using wireless communication signals
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method is related to providing sensing functions that are similar to “human touch” when located in a prosthetic device such as a BION microstimulator that is implanted in a patient. The apparatus includes a power circuit, a communication circuit, and a sensor circuit. The power circuit provides power to the communication circuit and the sensor circuit. The sensor cooperates with the communication circuit, which communicates to the brain. The sensor uses various techniques to detect changes in the environment for the surrounding tissue using criteria such as reflectivity, impedance, conductivity, return signal spectrum, return signal rate, and return signal phase to name a few. For example, the impedance observed by the sensor changes when: the skin tissue is deformed around the sensor, or when the skin is surrounded by water. The sensory information is interpreted by the brain as an analog of touch or feel.